Recently I returned from a visit to Thailand and found Thai massage schools everywhere and promising certification in 2, 3 or 10 days.
Yikes!
As I walked down the streets of Phuket City I saw a sign on every block advertising authentic Thai massage and alarmingly, ‘become a Thai massage therapist this weekend’. Ouch!
As I visited several of these and observed the certificates on the walls, they were all stamped, signed and all looking very official and legal. I was able to talk to a few of the students and asked how long it took them to learn this? Most said 3 days although I did find one student that said 10.
Now I realize many of the known accredited schools are further north such as Bangkok and Chaing Mai but as I observed these students giving massages it became apparent that the ‘authentic’ was quickly branching off into ‘feel good’ at least in this area.
Someone has obviously changed the rules.

Although the Thai government has very strict regulations on Thai massage, its not hard to see that the law is not being enforced. So the traditional Thai masters, through no fault of their own, have and are losing control of the meaning and teachings of traditional Thai massage. Now the quality of the Thai master comes into dispute also. If you have studied Thai massage and are a practitioner or teacher, you know that a master in Thai massage takes years to accomplish, which is rightly so as it keeps the standards high. In the western world the word master is given out far to easily and in one weekend if you pay the price.

I agree with others that there seems to be a tendency to label Thai medicine Ayurvedic, or Chinese because Thai massage is not understood enough to stand alone. My concern after studying, reading, observing and administering Thai massage is that this ancient art would be branched off and become lost of its true form.

But I see authenticity as witnessed at Thai Bodyworks in Chicago. Personal commitment by Chuck Duffs teaching and his excellent staff of teachers and practitioners digging in, asking questions, sharing what he knows and giving back to his students and to authentic Thai massage is highly commendable. The giving back is the key and by setting the standard of his students high, encouraging quality, keeping Thai massage safe, authentic and enjoyable, his students will be in demand.

Yeah, yeah. So how do we keep it authentic? We don’t need more regulatory complications nor should we separate ourselves from other massage modalities in the world. Proper training, care about what we are doing and the quality of our instruction will speak for Thai practitioners and teachers about our seriousness of Authentic Thai Massage. Guarantees that every practitioner will be A+ is not possible but our chances for a minimum of quality and commitment increases tremendously.

By regulating Thai massage separately those people who attend big schools are certified but the man or woman that studies from a true master for years will not be recognized. Sound familiar?

There are very few quality schools in the US that teach traditional Thai. Many massage schools hit on Thai massage along with all the other massages out there and it becomes listed in their modalities of treatment for their new business. So how would someone know if they were receiving an authentic Thai massage or not? Ask!  Do you do traditional southern, northern or a commoner style Thai massage?  Or perhaps ask them what position of Dang Kha they feel is most beneficial?  Another good sign would be the Shivago prayer or mantra before they begin. One of the best methods I have found is making the public aware of the differences. Advertise and be proud of your authenticity.
Kudos to Chuck Duff for his Traditional and Authentic Thai massage teachings and attention to quality and setting the standard where it should be for Thai massage students. Okay, okay, Betsy and Sparky too.
Namaste!

Bob Uhl
Centre For Conscious Living
602 State Street
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
http://www.centreforconsciousliving.com